ecstatic to embrace logic

Belief is a controversial topic but it is one that should not be ignored. It deserves discussion at length, whenever possible, and it should be challenged in all its forms. I recently gave my beliefs a good old think about and considered the beliefs of others, at length. This was due, mostly, to the incredibly important book The God Delusion
by Richard Dawkins, which I recently finished reading.

For those of you who have not heard of him, Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary scientist, chair for The Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, and a popular science writer. He is also a staunch atheist and Humanist with strong views against religion. It is these personal positions of his that he explores in the book.

I shan't go into great detail as to what the book contains, all I shall say is read it, and read it soon. It is a fascinating and compelling treatise on belief and its implications for humankind that is written very well remaining very accessible despite its academic bent. Dawkins' arguments are well formed, explored, and evidence based and I couldn't help but nod enthusiastically throughout the book. He spoke to me and raised my consciousness on many levels.

Having finished the book, I can now feel happy in describing myself as an Atheist. Before, I guess I was a closet atheist using a coat of agnosticism to hide it. I felt that belief in belief was a good thing, and despite despising organised religion in all its forms, I was willing to accept that some people can believe in a force we generally call God. I myself was open to the idea, but to be completely honest had not really thought about it enough.

Now that I really have thought about it, God is nonsense, a shrug of the shoulders, the most improbable theory of existence. The theory of evolution, coupled with other scientific theories satisfies so many questions. Yes, there are gaps, and the religious enthusiasts throughout the world will evoke God to account for those gaps, but the gaps slowly but surely get filled with scientific discovery, logic and reasoning.

Dawkins has helped me to realise I don't need religion to be moral, happy or inspired and so, I don't need it at all.

I am ecstatic to embrace logic, rational thought and scientific evidence whilst reacting quite negatively to lies and nonsense. I am thrilled to call myself an Atheist.

The God Delusion is a book I would recommend highly to people from all walks of belief, especially the intelligent sceptics (religious or not). It is worth the read, if for nothing else, the section exploring the indoctrination of children, something that now worries me greatly.

If the idea of atheism interests you, Dawkins' official website is a good place to start. I am going there now to watch a recent debate he was involved in.